Latest news with #Kimochi
The Age
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Age
Sir Lucan heats up again for Winter Cup as Nock gets one hand on title
'It's within reach, definitely,' Nock said of the senior crown. 'But I've got a week's suspension [now], so that probably gives that away a bit, but the apprentices' title is looking pretty good. We'll just keep the momentum rolling and I'm back next Saturday, so I don't miss too much. '[Morgan] is getting a few good opportunities as well so it's obviously going to be hard to run him down.' The two-kilogram claimer took Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Don't Forget Jack ($6.50) and Mickey's Medal ($3) to wins after claiming the Highway Handicap on Matt Dale-prepared Super Norwest. He gave Don't Forget Jack and Mickey's Medal rails runs before finding clear air to let them chase down Tasoraay and Northern Eyes respectively. Kurrinda Bloodstock-owned Super Norwest went forward from a wide gate before getting a seamless run just behind the speed and a clear shot at Antilocapra, which she beat by a short head. 'It was a good win, and I've got to say, that was a 20 out of 10 ride,' Kurrinda Bloodstock's Sean Driver said. Andrew Adkins and Dylan Gibbons also rode multiple winners. Adkins won with Freight Train and Motoscafo, while Gibbons took King Of Roseau and pick-up ride Sacred Rocks to victories. Gibbons' day was soured by a four-meeting (June 22-29) careless riding suspension from race nine with Half Yours, which shifted and severely checked Nock's ride, Cormac T. Filly delivers for Portelli and Calder Spring prospect Queen Of Clubs eased the pain of Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli, while giving group-1 winning New Zealand jockey Andrew Calder a thrill in the opening race. The Maurice filly, a $300,000 Magic Millions yearling, was near last before storming through a gap and past her rivals for a one and a quarter-length win over Regulated Affair in the 1400m race for two-year-olds. The maiden win as a $35 Sportsbet chance at her fourth start came a day after Portelli lost Kimochi to a career-ending tendon injury. Kimochi was set to race in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap, won by War Machine on Saturday at Eagle Farm. 'One door closes and another one opens, and I've been saying all along this is my next best thing,' Portelli said. 'I've been waiting for her, she does things at home that are just … I said she just can't get beat on the weekend, then she drew 10 and I thought, we'll just get a better price.' Portelli said Queen Of Clubs would likely be spelled before being aimed the major fillies races in the spring, while group 1-winner Kimochi would be retired. 'It's a pretty decent tear and she's more valuable as a broodmare now,' he said. Saturday's win was also a memorable moment for Calder, whose only other victory in Sydney came 21 years ago. 'I came over just out of my apprenticeship when I was about 20. I rode a listed winner here for Gerald Ryan,' Calder said. 'I've been around. I went to Macau for seven years, Singapore for a year after that, then back to New Zealand for a fair while. Then our whole family moved over here two or three years ago and I've been getting more into it.' Calder and his family are based at Warwick Farm, where he works with father-in-law, Richard Collett. Charity benefits from Baker proposal Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker was again kicking in for a worthy cause after Winning Proposal scored her first win for the stable on Saturday at Rosehill. In her third start for Baker, the three-year-old filly was strong to the line with an inside run under apprentice Anna Roper to win the 1100m benchmark 72 handicap by a half-length from Overfull as a $10 chance. Baker pledged on Friday at a calcutta that he would donate $10,000 to Equine Pathways Australia, a para-equestrian program for people with a disability, if he had a winner anywhere on Saturday. Last month Baker pledged his winnings from Miss Kim Kar's victory at Randwick to Racing NSW's flood relief program for northern NSW participants. King Of Roseau breaks drought The biggest cheers at Rosehill on Saturday came from the owners of King Of Roseau when jockey Dylan Gibbons took the Capitalist three-year-old to a second career win in 16 starts. The Peter Snowden-trained gelding had not won since his debut at Canberra in December 2023 and had since competed several times in stakes and big money races, placing six times. A $14 chance in a 1300m benchmark 78 on Saturday, King Of Roseau sprinted quickly up the inside to easily beat Snack Bar. Loading 'Full credit to the horse, he hasn't won in a long time,' Gibbons said. 'I said to the owners pre-race he's probably the nicest class 1 horse going around. 'I was probably back a bit further than I would have liked, but he was in a beautiful rhythm and when he smoked up behind them, I just needed an out. When he got there, he had a bit of a float but then he went right on with the job.'
Sydney Morning Herald
14-06-2025
- Sport
- Sydney Morning Herald
Sir Lucan heats up again for Winter Cup as Nock gets one hand on title
'It's within reach, definitely,' Nock said of the senior crown. 'But I've got a week's suspension [now], so that probably gives that away a bit, but the apprentices' title is looking pretty good. We'll just keep the momentum rolling and I'm back next Saturday, so I don't miss too much. '[Morgan] is getting a few good opportunities as well so it's obviously going to be hard to run him down.' The two-kilogram claimer took Annabel and Rob Archibald-trained Don't Forget Jack ($6.50) and Mickey's Medal ($3) to wins after claiming the Highway Handicap on Matt Dale-prepared Super Norwest. He gave Don't Forget Jack and Mickey's Medal rails runs before finding clear air to let them chase down Tasoraay and Northern Eyes respectively. Kurrinda Bloodstock-owned Super Norwest went forward from a wide gate before getting a seamless run just behind the speed and a clear shot at Antilocapra, which she beat by a short head. 'It was a good win, and I've got to say, that was a 20 out of 10 ride,' Kurrinda Bloodstock's Sean Driver said. Andrew Adkins and Dylan Gibbons also rode multiple winners. Adkins won with Freight Train and Motoscafo, while Gibbons took King Of Roseau and pick-up ride Sacred Rocks to victories. Gibbons' day was soured by a four-meeting (June 22-29) careless riding suspension from race nine with Half Yours, which shifted and severely checked Nock's ride, Cormac T. Filly delivers for Portelli and Calder Spring prospect Queen Of Clubs eased the pain of Warwick Farm trainer Gary Portelli, while giving group-1 winning New Zealand jockey Andrew Calder a thrill in the opening race. The Maurice filly, a $300,000 Magic Millions yearling, was near last before storming through a gap and past her rivals for a one and a quarter-length win over Regulated Affair in the 1400m race for two-year-olds. The maiden win as a $35 Sportsbet chance at her fourth start came a day after Portelli lost Kimochi to a career-ending tendon injury. Kimochi was set to race in the $3 million Stradbroke Handicap, won by War Machine on Saturday at Eagle Farm. 'One door closes and another one opens, and I've been saying all along this is my next best thing,' Portelli said. 'I've been waiting for her, she does things at home that are just … I said she just can't get beat on the weekend, then she drew 10 and I thought, we'll just get a better price.' Portelli said Queen Of Clubs would likely be spelled before being aimed the major fillies races in the spring, while group 1-winner Kimochi would be retired. 'It's a pretty decent tear and she's more valuable as a broodmare now,' he said. Saturday's win was also a memorable moment for Calder, whose only other victory in Sydney came 21 years ago. 'I came over just out of my apprenticeship when I was about 20. I rode a listed winner here for Gerald Ryan,' Calder said. 'I've been around. I went to Macau for seven years, Singapore for a year after that, then back to New Zealand for a fair while. Then our whole family moved over here two or three years ago and I've been getting more into it.' Calder and his family are based at Warwick Farm, where he works with father-in-law, Richard Collett. Charity benefits from Baker proposal Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker was again kicking in for a worthy cause after Winning Proposal scored her first win for the stable on Saturday at Rosehill. In her third start for Baker, the three-year-old filly was strong to the line with an inside run under apprentice Anna Roper to win the 1100m benchmark 72 handicap by a half-length from Overfull as a $10 chance. Baker pledged on Friday at a calcutta that he would donate $10,000 to Equine Pathways Australia, a para-equestrian program for people with a disability, if he had a winner anywhere on Saturday. Last month Baker pledged his winnings from Miss Kim Kar's victory at Randwick to Racing NSW's flood relief program for northern NSW participants. King Of Roseau breaks drought The biggest cheers at Rosehill on Saturday came from the owners of King Of Roseau when jockey Dylan Gibbons took the Capitalist three-year-old to a second career win in 16 starts. The Peter Snowden-trained gelding had not won since his debut at Canberra in December 2023 and had since competed several times in stakes and big money races, placing six times. A $14 chance in a 1300m benchmark 78 on Saturday, King Of Roseau sprinted quickly up the inside to easily beat Snack Bar. Loading 'Full credit to the horse, he hasn't won in a long time,' Gibbons said. 'I said to the owners pre-race he's probably the nicest class 1 horse going around. 'I was probably back a bit further than I would have liked, but he was in a beautiful rhythm and when he smoked up behind them, I just needed an out. When he got there, he had a bit of a float but then he went right on with the job.'
News.com.au
14-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
After the disappointment of Kimochi's injury, Gary Portelli's Queen Of Clubs delivers a stunning victory at Rosehill
Racing's rollercoaster can be relentless and unforgiving, but it can also be rewarding. Master trainer Gary Portelli has ridden the sport's ups and downs in a 24-hour period before his promising filly Queen Of Clubs made a statement with a powerful win in the Chandon Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday. Portelli wasn't supposed to be at Rosehill, he was planning to be at Eagle Farm where he had stable star Kimochi among the leading chances in the Group 1 $3m Stradbroke Handicap only for the mare to be withdrawn on race eve with a career-ending injury. 'It was tough finding out Kimochi had bowed her tendon yesterday,' Portelli said after Queen Of Clubs won the Rosehill opener. 'She just trot and cantered and the vets came over, she did the trot-up that they do and they grabbed her by the tendon – you couldn't even see it – they just squeezed it and they go a reaction, so it had only just happened. By the afternoon it was starting to really blow up. 'I wasn't in Brisbane but I had been getting feedback that everything was fine then yesterday was just a shocking phone call. 'She will be retired. It's a pretty decent tear and she is a more valuable broodmare now.' Portelli had paid over $1000 for return flights to Brisbane but changed his plans and went to Rosehill with just one runner – and left a winner. 'I was so confident,' the master trainer said. 'Queen Of Clubs is a good horse and it's great to see her repay our confidence. 'Trilogy (Racing) have been a good backer of our stable. They came to me sand said, 'this is a good filly, have a look at her at the Magic Millions'. We went halves in her and I put all my friends in her as well. 'She does things at home that are (special). She worked with Kilbrannan, who is a handy two-year-old (half-brother to Portelli's Golden Slipper winner Fireburn) and she went so well I said, 'she can't get beaten'. 'It's a massive result at big odds. We haven't stopped backing her since the odds came out, so it has been a good result for everyone.' ♣ï¸� Queen Of Clubs steams home down the middle to win the first at Rosehill! @GaryPortelli â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025 Queen Of Clubs, ridden by Andrew Calder, belied her $31 starting price by mowing down Regulated Affair ($4.40) to win by a widening one-and-quarter lengths with Gemologist ($21) a short neck away third. Namaste ($4 favourite) led to the turn but tired for seventh while Crocodile ($4.60) seemed to race ungenerously at times but was still disappointing finishing only ninth. Queen Of Clubs broke her maiden at her fourth attempt and provided Calder with his first metropolitan winner of the season. Calder, the experienced former New Zealand-based jockey who has ridden over 1000 career wins including seven at Group 1 level, gave an enthusiastic appraisal of Queen Of Clubs post-race. 'She is very progressive and has a great, big stride on her,' Calder enthused. 'At the 200m, I thought she was just going to get there but then at the 100m she really lengthened nicely. 'I rode her in a barrier trial where she gave me a similar feel so I knew she had ability. She is going to make a nice three-year-old filly, that's for sure.' Queen Of Clubs was born and raised at the historic Victorian stud and nursery, Blue Gum Farm, which was once home to some of the state's leading stallions namely Rubiton, Rancho Ruler and Umatilla. Blue Gum offered the filly at the 2024 Magic Millions Yearling Sale where she was purchased by Portelli and his clients for $300,000. "One door closes and another opens" It's been a tough 48 hours for @GaryPortelli but Queen Of Clubs has set her sights on a big spring! 🙌 â€' SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 14, 2025 Queen Of Clubs is a daughter of Hong Kong Mile winner Maurice whose Australian progeny include the ATC Australian Derby-Victoria Derby double winner Hitotsu and top sprinter Mazu. Portelli's filly traces back on a direct line to one of world's breeding's most influential broodmares namely Mumtaz Mahal via generations of daughters and granddaughters, mostly owned by the Aga Khan. In fact, Queen Of Clubs shares her fourth dam (Zahra) with the Aga Khan's unbeaten champion filly Zarkava. Portelli said Queen Of Clubs will now be spelled and set for the feature three-year-old fillies racing in the spring including the Group 1 Flight Stakes. 'I think she is probably a fantastic three-year-old filly that will head for all the big staying races,' Portelli said. 'She has got so much ability. That's the reason I ran her at two. 'I believe you've got to have a good benchmark when they get older and you get to a day like today where you've done all your work, the foundation has been set, she knows how to race, she relaxes in the bird cage. 'We will probably stop and work out a program that will see her in all the big fillies' races. 'One door closes and another one opens in this game and I've been saying all along this is my next big thing. Today showed we are heading in the right direction.'
News.com.au
12-06-2025
- Sport
- News.com.au
Tony Gollan's great hope Transatlantic gets run in Group 1 Stradbroke with Kimochi rule out
Two years of Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap heartache have eased for Tony Gollan, with his great hope Transatlantic getting a start as second emergency after a leading contender was ruled out by vets. Gary Portelli 's Group 1-winning Yulong-owned mare Kimochi was ruled out by vets on Friday morning with Queensland chief steward Josh Adams saying there was a tendon concern. It means Gollan galloper Transatlantic, who looked set to miss the Stradbroke field despite winning last Saturday's Listed Spear Chief Handicap at Eagle Farm, gets an unexpected start. Chris Waller mare Firestorm had been scratched from the Stradbroke earlier this week. Angela Jones is set to ride Transatlantic, meaning Toby Edmonds will have to find another rider for his lightweight Stradbroke filly Spicy Martini. Champion Queensland trainer Gollan had narrowly missed the Stradbroke field in the last two years with Antino (2023) and Freedom Rally (2024) and it looked like he was going to suffer the same fate with Transatlantic until Friday morning's vet news. Before Kimochi was scratched, Transatlantic had been a $17 chance in the Stradbroke betting market.
Mercury
05-06-2025
- Sport
- Mercury
Kimochi heads into unknown for Queensland Group 1 double shot
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Gary Portelli is striving for his first Queensland Group 1 and is set to give strong mare Kimochi two chances in quick succession to pull off the heist. The Stradbroke Handicap has been the main goal for the Yulong-owned Group 1 winner right from the start of her preparation which included a trio of runs in the Sydney autumn carnival. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Best laid plans have been tweaked with the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup rescheduled to Saturday after being one of the races washed out last Saturday when jockeys complained of poor visibility. But Warwick Farm trainer Portelli said Kimochi will still race in the Kingsford Smith on Saturday as a pipe-opener to the Stradbroke seven days later. He admits the seven-day back-up is a step into the unknown for Kimochi, but feels it could even suit her. • $8000 filly who 'walks like a duck' spices up Stradbroke field 'She will run on Saturday, it's a Group 1 race, and I couldn't go to the 1400(m) of the Stradbroke with her straight away given she has had a big gap between runs,' Portelli said. 'A high pressure handicap like the Stradbroke, they have got to be fit. 'We have never had to back-up before, the program has never had us having to back-up. 'But she is a very tough mare, whenever she races she is normally primed the week afterwards. Gary Portelli is confident Kimochi will handle the back-up into the Stradbroke Handicap. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images 'You actually think to yourself that she looks better the week after, than what she did leading into the race. 'She does cope with pressure, she's a big strong mare and she has been in work for ages. 'It's not like she's coming out of a spell and she's going to be too fresh or underdone. 'She has got a good fitness core.' • Waller gives hobby trainer reason to believe in Stradbroke fairytale Craig Williams rode Kimochi to Group 1 glory in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield last spring and the pair will reunite at Eagle Farm on Saturday. Kimochi is rated an $11 chance in the Kingsford Smith and is the same price for her main mission of the Stradbroke seven days later. Nine-time Group 1 winner Portelli has had some terrific horses campaign in Queensland, including Rebel Dane who finished seventh in the 2014 Stradbroke which was won by Queensland bolter River Lad. But he hopes Kimochi can give him his first Sunshine State Group 1. 'The plan is she will take her place in the Stradbroke, unless we race below expectations this Saturday,' Portelli said. Gary Portelli with Craig Williams and Yulong's Sam Fairgray after Kimochi won the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images 'From the time she came into work this preparation, the Stradbroke was in my mind the goal. 'We have drawn a fantastic barrier (three) in the Kingsford Smith, so she is going to get a soft run. 'That's important because going into the Stradbroke, she is not going to have a gut-buster and be trapped wide or doing work. 'She will get a nice run and accelerate in the straight, if she runs top three then I would be over the moon from a Straddy point of view.' • Maher filly making right noises for Oaks upset repeat Lindsay Park co-trainer Ben Hayes has indicated Rise At Dawn – the winner of eight from 15 starts – will take his place in the Kingsford Smith before being unleashed on the back-up in the Stradbroke. The Lindsay Park dynasty may have its best chance to crack its Stradbroke duck, with raging favourite War Machine ($3) set to be joined by Rise At Dawn ($11) in Queensland's most prestigious race. Originally published as Kimochi set for back-to-back Queensland Group 1 challenges in Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap
